Time! I did think about stripping the forks but as I only had the use of the spray booth for an evening and a 470 mile round trip to Builth Wells I decided to paint them as they were. There is no reason why I can't do them again properly now I've achieved my goal.
Been to DVLA today and now have a lovely Cornish F reg and a tax refund to come! Inspector walked up to it and said " you've taken the panels off, don't see many like this now", ideal I thought!